discuss changes in the Constitution that could give more power to the President.

discuss changes in the Constitution that could give more power to the President.

Instanbul:
Turkey's parliament on Monday begins debating a controversial new draft
constitution aimed at expanding the powers of the presidency under
Recep Tayyip Erdogan that is expected to be put to a referendum by the
spring.

The
new constitution, which would replace the basic law drawn up after
Turkey's 1980 military coup, seeks to set up for the first time a
presidential system for ruling the modern republic created from the
ashes of the Ottoman Empire.

Critics
have claimed that the move is part of a power grab by Erdogan, premier
from 2003-2014 and then president, for one-man rule in the wake of the
failed putsch in July.

But
Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) say the
system would bring Turkey into line with countries such as France and
the United States and is needed for efficient government.

The
debates on the 18-article new constitution will begin in the parliament
chamber after the draft was agreed by a parliamentary commission ahead
of the New Year. The two readings are expected to last 13-15 days.

The
AKP needs more than 330 votes -- a three fifths majority -- for the
bill to be submitted to a referendum for public approval.

However,
the November 2015 election left the AKP short of a super majority in
parliament and it is relying on the support of the opposition right-wing
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the fourth largest party.

Once approved by parliament, a referendum should take place within 60 days, indicating a date in late March or early April.

Pro-government
newspapers have predicted a thumping victory for the ruling party
although other commentators have been more cautious.

The
new constitution is opposed by the biggest opposition party the
Republican People's Party (CHP) whose deputy chairman Bulent Tezcan said
it would restore powers "to the palace" taken away from the Ottoman
Sultan a century ago.

"It
will be the dissolution of all that our republic has achieved," he
said, criticising the draft as paving the way for "one man
dictatorship".

But
AKP lawmaker Halil Firat, who helped draw up the proposed new
constitution, said it would make clear the roles of government and
president.

"Stability will be achieved. Decision-making will be quick."

Under
the new constitution, the president would not have to sever links with a
political party, as is the case now even though Erdogan co-founded the
AKP.

It is also expected to lead to the creation of the posts of vice presidents and the abolition of the office of prime minister.

There
will no longer be a formal cabinet but there will be ministers. The
president will have the power to appoint and fire ministers.

The draft law says the president would be elected for a five-year term and serve for a maximum of two mandates.